Live concert/event video system and method

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the invention is a method of providing video to attendees of a live concert. Video of different views of the live concert is captured. A plurality of video streams are provided to attendees of the live concert while the live concert is occurring. The plurality of digital video streams enable an attendee of the live concert to select which of the plurality of digital video streams to view using a portable digital device associated with that attendee such that the attendee may choose from among the different views of the live concert.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/729,735, filed Jun. 3, 2015,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/192,503,filed Feb. 27, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,065,877, issued Jun. 23, 2015,which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/727,997,filed Mar. 19, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,153, issued Apr. 15, 2014,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/988,375,filed Nov. 12, 2004. Each of these applications is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to concerts or other live events andmore particularly to a video system and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At some live events including, for example concerts, video of the liveevent is presented on a screen to participants. This video often allowsattendees of the live event to get a better view of the event as it isoccurring than they would otherwise have. For example, if the attendeeis far away from the stage where the live event is occurring, the videopicture may provide a closer view than the attendee has from his or herseating location. Unfortunately, however, the choice of what content isdisplayed on the screen at such an event rests with the operator of thescreen or persons controlling the event rather than with the viewer ofthe event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a method of providing video to attendeesof a live concert. Video of different views of the live concert iscaptured. A plurality of video streams are provided to attendees of thelive concert while the live concert is occurring. The plurality ofdigital video streams enable an attendee of the live concert to selectwhich of the plurality of digital video streams to view using a portabledigital device associated with that attendee such that the attendee maychoose from among the different views of the live concert. The inventioncould be used for any live event.

The invention has several important technical advantages. Embodiments ofthe invention may have none, one, some, or all of these advantageswithout departing from the scope of the invention. The invention allowsan attendee at a live event with a poor seating location to obtain abetter view of the event. The invention may enrich the viewingexperience of an attendee at a live event. By giving the attendeecontrol over the particular video images that he or she views at a liveevent, the attendee may come away with a more favorable view of theevent than if the attendee is merely presented with video chosen by theparty putting on the event. The invention may also enhance thereputation of a party performing at the live event by enhancing anattendee's overall experience at the event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a general purpose computer thatmay be used in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example architecture of a system that may be usedto provide video of a live event in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of operating a portable digital device toobtain video of a live event in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages arebest understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, likenumerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the variousdrawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a general purpose computer 10 that may be used inconnection with one or more of the pieces of software employed by thepresent invention. General purpose computer 10 may be adapted to executeany of the well-known OS2, Unix, Mac-OS, Linux, and Windows operatingsystems or other operating systems. General purpose computer 10comprises processor 12, random access memory (RAM) 14, read-only memory(ROM) 16, mouse 18, keyboard 20 and input/output devices such as printer24, disk drives 22, display 26 and communications link 28. The presentinvention may include programs that may be stored in RAM 14, ROM 16,removable storage, PRAM, NV-RAM, or disk drives 22 and may be executedby processor 12. Communications link 28 may be connected to a computernetwork but could be connected to a telephone line, an antenna, agateway, a wireless local area or wide area network, or any other typeof communication link. Disk drives 22 may include a variety of types ofstorage media such as, for example, floppy disk drives, hard diskdrives, DVD-ROM drives, RAM disks, compact flash card, memory stick, CDROM/RAM/RW or DVD ROM/RAM/RW drives or magnetic tape drives. Althoughthis embodiment employs a plurality of disk drives 22, a single diskdrive 22 could be used without departing from the scope of theinvention. FIG. 1 provides one example of a computer that may be usedwith the invention. The invention could be used with computers otherthan general purpose computers as well as general purpose computerswithout conventional operating systems.

The invention includes logic contained with a medium. In this example,the logic comprises computer software executable on a general purposecomputer. The media may include one or more storage devices associatedwith general purpose computer 10. The invention may be implemented withcomputer software, computer hardware, or a combination of software andhardware. The logic may also be embedded within any other medium withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

The invention may employ multiple general purpose computers 10 networkedtogether in a computer network. Most commonly, general purpose computers10 may be networked through the Internet, and/or in a client servernetwork. The invention may also be used with a combination of separatecomputer networks each linked together by a private, virtual private, orpublic network.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an architecture of one systemcomprising an embodiment of the present invention. The system comprisescameras 50, encoders 52, video mixing board 54, main encoder 56, venueserver 58, venue display 60, streaming server 62, application server 64,application distribution server 66, SMS/MMS 30 gateway 68, SMTP server70, event marketing system 72, ticketing system 74, review workstation75, publishing workstation 77, video distribution system 59, andwireless devices 76. The function of each of these devices in thecontext of the invention will be discussed in more detail below. Itshould be noted that various embodiments of the invention will have moreor less components without departing from the scope of the invention.The functions of the various devices illustrated in FIG. 2 may becombined such that the functions of multiple devices are performed by asingle device. Alternatively, in other embodiments, functions performedby a single device in the system illustrated in FIG. 2 will be performedby multiple and/or redundant devices in alternative embodiments.

Among other functions that will discussed more fully herein, the systemillustrated in FIG. 2 allows an attendee of a live event (or anotherperson able to receive the required signals) to select one of aplurality of video streams of the live event. Each video stream maycomprise a video signal received from a different camera which iscreating video of the event from a different viewpoint. Thus, theinvention allows the user to view the event from various perspectivesand to select which perspective the viewer wishes to view the event fromat a particular time period. The term video signal is meant to referbroadly to any analog or digital video representation. It is not limitedto any particular type of video signal.

The invention can be used at various types of live events. Examples oflive events at which the invention may be used include concerts,sporting events, speeches, plays, operas, dance shows, and the circus.However, the invention is not limited to use for these types of liveevents and could be used with any type of live event.

Below, the functions of the various components of the system illustratedin FIG. 2 are described in more detail. In addition to the ability ofthe system to provide user selected video of a live event as it isoccurring, the system in FIG. 2 may also provide various other featureswhich will also be described below.

The invention may be particularly useful at live concerts or livesporting events. In these types of events, attendees often scramble tobuy tickets for the “best” locations from which to view the event. Theinvention may allow more attendees at such events to obtain “better”views of the event by viewing various videos of the event taken from“better” locations than the location from which the attendee's ticketsallow him or her to view the event. This may increase the number of“good” tickets and may allow charging of a higher ticket price.

The system of FIG. 2 includes a plurality of cameras 50. Cameras 50 maybe placed at various locations around a venue hosting a live event so asto provide multiple viewpoints from which an attendee can view video ofthe live event. Cameras 50 may provide far away views, medium viewsand/or close up views. Cameras 50 may be operated by a videographer, byremote control, or may capture video without a human controlling them.Cameras 50 may capture video in digital or analog form without departingfrom the scope of the invention. If video is captured in analog form, itmay be converted to digital form inside cameras 50, in encoder 52, orusing other hardware (not explicitly shown). Any number of cameras 50may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Thecameras 50 may also, optionally, have the capability to take stillphotos of the live event as it is occurring. The still photos may beprovided either to venue display 60 or to wireless devices 76 (or otherdevices) on a periodic basis (e.g. every ten seconds) or on a randombasis. If cameras 50 do not have the built-in capability to take stillphotos, then a full frame (for example, comprised of one or two framesof interlaced video or one frame of progressive video) of video may beused to provide such a snapshot feature.

Simply because video is “captured” by cameras 50 does not mean that thecaptured video is recorded such that a copy of the live event iscreated. As further described below, in some embodiments, the capturedvideo may be streamed to end users without recording the video. In suchembodiments, video may only be captured for a period of time long enoughto rebroadcast the video in accordance with the invention.

Encoders 52 may be used to translate an analog video signal into adigital video signal. Encoders 52 may also be used to translate adigital video signal in one particular format into a digital videosignal of a different digital video format for supply to streamingserver 62. In this embodiment, encoders 52 comprise a combination ofhardware and computer software running on a general purpose computer 10.Encoders 52 could be, however, dedicated hardware or software running ona general purpose computer 10 without departing from the scope of theinvention.

In this embodiment, there is one encoder 52 for each camera 50. Eachencoder 52 receives a video signal from camera 50 and encodes one ormore signals for supply to streaming server 62. In alternativeembodiments, each encoder 52 may serve multiple cameras 50. In suchembodiments, encoder 52 may have multiple processes running 5 to performencoding for the multiple cameras 50 connected to the encoder 52. Insome embodiments, encoder 52 may have multiple processors performingencoding for multiple cameras 50 or a single camera 50.

Many live event venues have a venue display 60. A venue displaytypically comprises one more large screen(s) where attendees of theevent can view textual information about the event, still photos aboutthe event, graphical information about the event, and/or video of thelive event. In some instances, prerecorded video will also be displayedon venue display 60. As with other elements of the system illustrated inFIG. 2, venue display 60 may be omitted without departing from the scopeof the invention. In addition, a venue may have multiple displays 60.

In this embodiment, venue display 60 allows video of a live event to bedisplayed to attendees of the live event. The outputs of cameras 50 aresupplied to video mixing board 54. The operator of video mixing board 54may select one or more video signals from one or more cameras 50 to beoutput at any particular time to venue display 60. The output signalfrom video mixing board 54 is provided to video distribution system 59,which may then display the video on video display 60. In some venues,the output of video mixing board 54 may be provided directly to venuedisplay 60. In other embodiments, particularly where a venue hasmultiple screens upon which to display content, video distributionsystem may be used to provide video to multiple screens. Videodistribution system may be omitted without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

Venue server 58 may also provide signals to video display 60. Sometimes,the video from mixing board 54 is displayed while other times the outputof venue server 58 is displayed (as controlled by a venue video operatoror perhaps as controlled using venue server 58 in some embodiments). Inaddition, the output of video mixing board 54 may be supplied to mainencoder 56. Main encoder 56 is similar or identical to encoders 52. Mainencoder 56 is illustrated separately in this embodiment as main encoder56 may be used to encode the video signal that is sent to venue display60 so that the users of wireless devices 76 may also choose to view thesame video being displayed on venue display 60. Where streaming server62 holds an ephemeral cache of the output of main encoder 56 for delayedplayback, this video stream cache may later be used after the live eventis over to replay all or a portion of the live event to the operators ofwireless devices 76 (or other devices) In some embodiments, streamingserver 62 (or other devices) may record the video, audio, or audio/videostreams for later use. Such recordings may also be used to replay all ora portion of the live event to the operators of wireless devices 76 (orother devices).

In some embodiments, encoders 52 and main encoder 56 may also receive anoutput from the main sound board of the venue (not explicitly shown).Thus, encoders 52 and main encoder 56 may also encode audio signals thatmay be synchronized with the video signals received and encoded byencoders 52 and main encoder 56. As was the case with the video signals,the audio signals may be analog or digital signals without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Any video signals or audio signals maybe digitally encoded in any acceptable digital format without departingfrom the scope of the invention. In some embodiments, cameras 50 maycreate audio signals.

Streaming server 62 may be used to stream digital video to wirelessdevices 76 (or other devices). Streaming server 62 may be located in avenue (or elsewhere) and may have wireless networking hardware builtinto it to provide the streaming of video in a wireless manner towireless devices 76. Alternatively, streaming server 62 may be connectedto a wireless network or a network that includes both wired and wirelesslinks. Ultimately, video streamed by streaming server 62 may be providedto wireless devices 76 in a wireless fashion (or other devices in awired or wireless fashion). Streaming server 62 may provide video fromone or more cameras 50 and/or from video mixing board 54 in a digitalstream to wireless devices 76 in a real-time or near real-time fashion.Alternatively, the video could be streamed on a time delayed basis.

While in this embodiment, streaming server 62 is shown as providingstreamed video to wireless devices 76 using wireless communication,wireless communication is optional. In some embodiments, streamingserver 62 may provide streamed digital video through a wiredcommunications network or otherwise provide video over a wiredcommunications link to devices capable of receiving the streamed digitalvideo and outputting that digital video to a display.

In this embodiment, streaming server 62 provides multiple digital videostreams of video signals received from encoders 52 and main encoder 56while the live event is occurring. Depending upon the embodiment,streaming server 62 may simply provide the video in a streamed fashionwithout recording it. Alternatively, streaming server 62 may record someor all of the video streams it receives so as to allow future andrepeated playback of those video streams.

Streaming server 62 may provide digital video streams to wirelessdevices 76 or other devices (not explicitly shown) using point-to-point,point-to-multipoint, peer-to-peer, multipoint-to-multipointcommunications, or any combination thereof. All of these forms ofcommunicating between streaming server 62 and wireless devices 76 (orother devices) are contemplated by the scope of the invention.

As noted above in connection with the description of encoders 52 andmain 15 encoder 56, the digital video streamed by streaming server 62may or may not include audio signals. In some cases the digital videosignal will include an encoded audio signal. In other embodiments, adigital audio signal may be synchronized with the streamed digital videosignal.

In some embodiments, encoders 52 and main encoder 56 will provide theaudio signal to streaming server 62. In other embodiments, separateaudio encoders (not explicitly shown) will provide the audio in digitalform to streaming server 62. In other embodiments, the hardware and/orsoftware for encoders 52 and main encoder 56 may be incorporated withinstreaming server 62 to perform encoding of video, audio, and/or acombination of video and audio.

In some embodiments, streaming server 62 may have the capability todetermine the particular video stream chosen by a particular wirelessdevice 76 during a particular time period. In such an embodiment,streaming server 62 may capture statistics and store them in streamingserver 62 and/or provide them to application server 64 concerning theviewing habits of the operators of particular wireless devices 76. Forexample, streaming server 62 may capture statistics on which videosignal provided by a camera 50 is the most popular camera angle forviewing during a particular point in time during a live event. Thus,streaming server 62 may record the camera angle choices of operators ofwireless devices 76 (or other devices). Those choices may later besynchronized by application server 64 with selected demographicinformation concerning the owner of a wireless device 76. In otherembodiments, the application server 64 may record such statistics wherethe application server 64 interacts with wireless devices 76 (or otherdevices) to allow selection of a camera angle. The streaming server 62may also capture other statistics typically captured by streamingservers.

These statistics may allow the operator of a live event, the performersat a live event, or others to target marketing of recordings of the liveevent to different demographic groups based upon aggregate preferencesof particular demographic groups for a particular camera angle or mediastream.

In some embodiments, streaming server 62 may have security controlsbuilt-in such that streaming server 62 controls the wireless devices 76that are capable of receiving the output of streaming server 62. Ifwireless devices 76 include a GPS receiver that indicates the geographicposition of the wireless device 76, then streaming server 62 orapplication server 64 may provide constraints as to the GPS coordinatesof particular wireless devices 76 that are authorized to receive a videostream of the live event. Software and/or hardware in wireless devices76 may prevent video streams outside the range of authorized GPScoordinates from viewing particular video streams.

Application server 64 (and/or streaming server 62) may also controlwhich wireless devices 76 are capable of receiving video streams byrequiring the operator of a wireless device 76 to input a code (such as,for example, a numeric code) from a ticket to the live event into thewireless device 76 in order to obtain authorization to receive streamedvideo for that live event. As another example, owners of wirelessdevices 76 may subscribe to services that allow them to obtain streamedvideo for various live events. Application server 64 (and/or streamingserver 62) may retain identification numbers of such wireless devices76. Using such identification numbers, application server 64, a wirelessdevice 76, and/or the combination may provide security control such thatonly wireless devices 76 that have subscribed to a particular serviceare allowed to receive video of the live event from streaming server 62.(Similar control could be used for other devices besides wirelessdevices 76.)

Alternatively, in another embodiment, an owner of a wireless device 76(or other user thereof) may purchase a code to input into wirelessdevice 76 to allow wireless device 76 to receive streamed video for aparticular live event. This code could be purchased at the time ticketsfor the live event were purchased or otherwise obtained. Alternatively,this code could be obtained at the live event venue.

In some embodiments, only attendees of the live event will be permittedto receive streamed video from streaming server 62. In otherembodiments, wireless devices 76 (or other devices) remote from thevenue of the live event will be permitted to receive streamed video ofthe live event from streaming server 62. In such embodiments, attendeesof the live event, and/or remote viewers may be permitted to receiveeither live video, delayed video, or recorded video of the live event(and/or audio live, delayed, or recorded) depending upon the desires ofthe operator of the venue where the live event is occurring, thepromoters of the live event, the operator of the service, and/or theperformers of the live event.

The system may also include application server 64. In this embodiment,application server 64 comprises software running on a general purposecomputer such as a general purpose computer 10. In other embodiments,application server 64 may be a special purpose device. While FIG. 2illustrates application server 64 as being separate from streamingserver 62, venue server 58, and application distribution server 66, allof these servers could be combined in a single physical computer, acomputer with multiple processors, or run on a collection of computerswithout departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly, othersystems, gateways, and servers illustrated in FIG. 2 could be combinedwith the functions of application server 64 without departing from thescope of the invention.

Application server 64 controls various functions for the systemillustrated in FIG. 2. Application server 64 controls the registrationof wireless devices 76 (or other devices) to allow such devices toreceive video, audio, and/or audio-video from streaming server 62. Inthis embodiment, application server 64 gathers identificationinformation about each wireless device 76 being registered as well asdemographic information about the operator of wireless device 76. Suchdemographic information may include but is not limited to the name,address, telephone number, work address, work telephone number,electronic mail address, age, occupation, sex, and/or income of theoperator of a wireless device 76. Other demographic information may becollected or some of the listed demographic information omitted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. This information may begathered at one time or over multiple sessions on the wireless device,on another device (eg: an internet-connected PC), or on any combinationof devices. Application server 64 may also gather information about thewireless device 76. Where wireless device 76 includes a wirelesstelephone capability, application server 64 may obtain the telephonenumber of the wireless device 76 during the registration process and/ormay obtain some other identification code or number associated with aparticular wireless device 76.

As noted above, the system of the invention can be used to stream video,audio, and/or audio-video signals. When the terms “video signal,” “videostream,” etc. are used in the claims, those terms are meant to broadlyrefer to any type of signal that includes video content includingwithout limitation video without audio, video interleaved with audio,video synchronized with an audio signal, etc. Any of the video, audio,or audio-video signals herein could have data interleaved with them aswell without departing from the scope of the invention.

Application server 64 may also maintain records concerning the wirelessdevices 76, and/or persons who have authority to receive video fromstreaming server 62 for a particular live event. In this embodiment,application server 64 stores data concerning each event in a database.Where tickets are sold for the live event, application server 64 maymaintain a list of valid codes which are printed on the ticket. Thesecodes may then be used to control access to video, audio, and/oraudio-video from streaming server 62. Where a ticket is reported stolenor lost, application server 64 may be able to determine that the codeassociated with the stolen or lost ticket is invalid, thus preventingstreaming server 62 from providing video to a person using that ticketcode with a wireless device 76 in an attempt to receive the streamedvideo. In other embodiments, no such security will be provided.Additional security may be provided by application server 64 bymonitoring access attempts and disabling access to streaming server 62and/or application server 64 temporarily or permanently if repeatedunauthorized attempts to access the system are detected.

In some embodiments, application server 64 will maintain a list oftelephone numbers or other identification numbers for wireless devices76 (or other devices) such that it can instruct streaming server 62 toallow or disallow a particular wireless device 76 from receiving video,audio, and/or audio-video from streaming server 62 for the particularlive event. In other embodiments, application server 64 may maintaindata concerning special access codes which are valid for a particularlive event. In such an embodiment, application server 64 may interactwith streaming server 62 to only allow those wireless devices 76providing a valid authentication code to receive video, audio, and/oraudio-video of the live event from streaming server 62.

In the case of an owner of a wireless device 76 (or other device) whohas subscribed to receive video, audio, and/or audio-video from theservice for a variety of live events, application server 64 may use thetelephone number and/or other identification number, securitycertificate, or key for the wireless device 76 and/or user-specificauthentication credentials (such as a user name and password or token orkey) to control access to video from streaming server 62.

In some embodiments, an application server 64, a streaming server 62,and an application distribution server 66 may be used to serve multiplevenues for multiple live events. In other embodiments, some or all ofthese servers could be provided one per venue or one per multiplevenues. Any suitable communications link may be used to link any of thevarious components of the system illustrated in FIG. 2.

Application server 64 may also maintain data about particular eventssuch as the timing of the event, the location of the event, the timezone of the event, and the performers at the event as well as the rightsassociated with the streams originating from the event, including butnot limited to: duration of availability, maximum numbers of views/playsper member, maximum number of plays per stream, viral marketing “send toa friend” permission, maximum number of “send to a friend”s per member,and maximum number of “send to a friend”s per stream, permission to“send to a friend” who was not at the event or only to send the streamto other people who were at the event (who would be required toauthenticate same using methods described elsewhere). Application server64 may maintain a database associated with each person and/or wirelessdevice 76 (or other device) which has registered with application server64 to receive streamed video from streaming server 62. As noted above,this database may include demographic information about the user,information about the user's wireless device 76, as well as informationconcerning which events a particular user has attended or purchased theability to receive live video for a period. Each member may also haveparticular preferences concerning the way in which information isprovided to and from its wireless device 76 or other device, andapplication server 64 may retain these preferences as well.

Application server 64 may include in its database information sufficientto track usage of copyrightable content so that any required royalties(if any) may be paid for any copyright usage associated with the use ofthe system illustrated in FIG. 2. Application server 64 may also includedata concerning the video and/or audio information being provided bystreaming server 62.

As noted above, application server 64 may also obtain statisticalinformation concerning the use of the system by various users ofwireless devices 76 (or other devices). Application server 64 may trackeach session between wireless device 76 and application server 64 and/orstreaming server 62 to determine what each user did while interactingwith the system illustrated in FIG. 2.

Application server 64 may also manage the security of the system bycontrolling the access of wireless devices 76 (or other devices) tovideo and/or audio output by streaming server 62 using any of themethods described herein. Authentication by wireless device 76 will bedescribed more particularly below in connection with a description ofwireless device 76.

As noted above, application server 64 may maintain various statisticsconcerning various access patterns by users of wireless devices 76.Application server 64 may also maintain statistics concerning whatoccurred for a particular live event. Application server 64 may producevarious reports containing these statistics to be used for betterenhancing live events in the future. These reports may also be used totrack usage patterns of particular users and/or demographic groupsand/or target messages to these users.

The system illustrated in FIG. 2 may allow attendees at a live event touse a wireless device 76 (or another device) to send text messages,pictures, and/or video clips to be displayed on venue display 60. Inorder to prevent undesirable messages (e.g. obscene. messages or images)from appearing on venue display 60, messages from a wireless device 76are sent to application server 64, in this embodiment through SMS/MMSgateway 68. The messages are received by application server 64. In oneembodiment, application server 64 contains a list of words to beautomatically deleted from messages intended to be displayed on venuedisplay 60. This feature is optional and could be omitted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. After bad words have beendeleted from the message in such an embodiment, the message is providedto publishing workstation 77 where a human moderator may choose to allowor disallow the content from being displayed on venue display 60 and/ormay edit the content. In some embodiments, the messages may also be sentto a review workstation 75 for review an advertiser or any other personassociated with the live event. The review workstation 75 may allowanother person to approve or disapprove of content for display on venuedisplay 60 (or in some cases for streaming during or after theconclusion of the live event). After review has taken place using one orboth of publishing workstation 77 and/or review workstation 75, thecontent may be sent to application server 64 for display on venuedisplay 60 using venue server 58. Venue server 58 may provide a videosignal containing the attendee content for display. A human or automatedprocess may control whether content provided to venue server 58 getsdisplayed on venue display 60.

The SMS/MMS gateway 68 may be software running on a general purposecomputer such as general purpose computer 10. The functions of SMS/MMSgateway 68 may be provided by any combination of hardware and/orsoftware without departing from the scope of the invention.

A similar service may be provided by application server 64 to wirelessdevices 76 (or other devices) for digital still images, video, audio,and/or audio-video taken using a wireless device 76 (or other device).Thus, the system illustrated in FIG. 2 also allows attendees of a liveevent to share still images, video, audio, and/or audio-video clips thatthe attendees themselves produced with other attendees of the concert.These pictures, video, audio, and/or audio-video clips may be providedby the wireless device 76 (or other device) through SMS/MMS gateway 68or in the case of audio via the voice network (user calls a phone numberand leaves a voicemail message which is picked up and processed by theapplication server) to application server 64. Application server 64 maythen provide the images, video, audio, and/or audio-video clips to thepublishing workstation 77 and optionally to the review workstation(s) 75once published where a human moderator(s) may choose to allow the sameto be displayed or not to be displayed on venue display 60. (or playedon the venue p.a. system in the case of audio clips). Any clips ormessages that are approved by the moderator are then sent by theapplication server to the venue server 58 for display or playback. TheSMS/MMS gateway may be software running on a general purpose computersuch as general purpose computer 10. The functions of SMS/MMS gatewaymay be provided by any combination of hardware and/or software withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

Application server 64 may also maintain a list of lost or stolentelephones or other wireless devices 76 where a user has reported theirtelephone or other wireless device 76 lost or stolen. This list mayallow application server 64 to deny streaming server 62 from providinglive video, audio, and/or still images of the live event to the lost orstolen wireless device 76. Alternatively, this information may allowapplication server 64 to control wireless device 76 such that the videoor other visual content may not be displayed by the particular wirelessdevice 76 and any audio information received is prevented from beingoutput to a speaker of wireless device 76.

As has been discussed herein, venue display 60 may allow live video ofthe live event to be displayed during the live event. In addition, venuedisplay 60 may allow prerecorded content to be displayed prior to anevent, during intermissions, and/or after the event. Venue display 60may also be used to display text messages, pictures, video and/or imagesprovided by attendees of the live event to application server 64.Finally, venue display 60 may be used to provide announcements by theoperator of the venue using venue server 58.

In this embodiment, application server 64 may send electronic mailmessages to a wireless device 76 (or other device) using SMTP server 70.Such e-mails may be used to send advertising, reminders, and/or surveysto wireless devices 76 (or other devices). Wireless devices 76 mayprovide e-mail responses to surveys back to application server 64. TheSMTP server 70 may be software running on a general purpose computersuch as general purpose computer 10. The functions of SMTP server 70 maybe provided by any combination of hardware and/or software withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

In this embodiment, application server 64 may send text and/ormultimedia messages to a wireless device 76 (or other device) using theSMS/MMS gateway 10 or SMTP server 70. Such messages or e-mails may beused to send advertising, reminders, and/or surveys to wireless devices76 (or other devices). Wireless devices 76 may provide responses tosurveys or other messages back to application server 64. The SMTP server70 may be software running on a general purpose computer such as generalpurpose computer 10. The functions of SMTP server 70 may be provided byany combination of hardware and/or software without departing from thescope of the invention.

Event marketing system 72, in this embodiment comprises a website and/ordatabase that provides information about upcoming live events. Eventmarketing system 72 may also advertise the live video and/or audioservices provided by the system illustrated in FIG. 2. In someembodiments, event marketing system 72 may also facilitate registrationof a wireless device 76 user, or other device with application server64. Event marketing system 72 may also provide information about eventsto application server 64 for storage in a database associated withapplication server 64. In this embodiment, event marketing system 72comprises a website running on a general purpose computer, such asgeneral purpose computer 10. Event marketing system 72 could be anycombination of hardware and software without departing from the scope ofthe invention. Event marketing system 72 could be the same system as theticketing system 74 without departing from the scope of the invention.

Ticketing system 74 may be a general purpose computer such as generalpurpose computer 10 (or a plurality of computers). Ticketing system 74may be any combination of hardware and/or software without departingfrom the scope of the invention. In this embodiment, ticketing system 74may provide information about valid ticket codes to application server64 as tickets are purchased or in batch files before, during, or afterpurchases. Thus, application server 64 may maintain a database of validcodes for a particular live event as reported by ticketing system 74. Insome embodiments, valid ticket codes may be linked by the applicationserver 64 to a telephone number, a person's name, a person's address, aperson's e-mail address, or other identification data associated with aperson. In other embodiments, the ticket code may be linked to anidentification code associated with a wireless device 76 (or otherdevice) by the application server 64

The system illustrated in FIG. 2 also comprises application distributionserver 66. In this embodiment, application distribution server 66comprises a software application running on a general purpose computersuch as a general purpose computer 10. Application distribution server66 may be any combination of hardware and/or software without departingfrom the scope of the invention. In this embodiment, applicationdistribution server 66 stores the latest version of software for awireless device 76 (or another device) to facilitate communication withapplication server 64 to receive audio, video, and/or audio/videostreams from streaming server 62. As noted above, still photos may alsobe provided and received by wireless devices 76 using software providedby application distribution server 66 in some embodiments. Applicationdistribution server 66 may allow a wireless device 76 with an olderversion of the software application to update to the current version.

Although not explicitly illustrated, application server 64 may alsointerface with point of sale displays in retail locations to provideaudio/video/image streams from the streaming server 62, provideinformation about upcoming events, promotions for the service, and/orany other information maintained by application server 64.

The system of FIG. 2 also includes a plurality of wireless devices 76.As noted above, the system could include a plurality of other deviceswhich are connected to streaming server 62 using a wired connectionrather than a wireless connection. A combination of wired and wirelessdevices and connection may also be used. In this embodiment, wirelessdevices 76 may be portable or unportable. In some embodiments, thewireless devices 76 will be handheld devices. Wireless devices 76 maybe, for example, personal computers such as general purpose computer 10.For example, a laptop computer with a wireless link could serve as awireless device 76. In other embodiments, wireless device 76 will be apersonal digital assistant. In other embodiments, wireless device 76will be a wireless telephone. In other embodiments, a touch screen wiredsystem might be connected to the system in place of, or in addition towireless device(s) 76. The system of the invention may include a mixtureof such devices and a mixture of wired and wireless devices withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

Wireless devices 76 may comprise computer software to allow the playbackof streamed digital video, audio, and/or audio/video. Such software mayallow the processing of audio signals combined with the video signals(and/or streamed separately but synchronized to the video signals)and/or audio signals without video signals without departing from thescope of the invention.

Wireless devices 76 can be made operable to receive video, images,audio, and/or audio-video from streaming server 62 using a softwareapplication running on a wireless device 76. The software applicationmay be obtained from application distribution server 66, preloaded onthe device, or installed on the device by any other means in thisembodiment. The software application used to interface a wireless device76 to application server 64 may or may not include software for playingback streamed video on a display associated with wireless device 76. Insome embodiments, a separate piece of software on wireless device 76 maybe used to process the streamed video. In one embodiment, software usedto playback the video stream from streaming server 62 may be the WindowsMedia Player. Alternative embodiments, including but not limited to anMPEG 4 video player may be used. However, any choice of software capableof receiving streamed digital video, images, audio, and/or audio-videoand outputting it to a display associated with wireless device 76 may beused without departing from the scope of the invention.

In some embodiments, the software application on wireless device 76 tointerface with application server 64 will allow registration of thewireless device 76 with application server 64 to enable wireless device76 to receive service. In alternative embodiments, registration may beconducted though event marketing system 72, ticketing system 74 and/orthe Internet and/or any combination.

In some embodiments, a software application running on wireless device76 opens a session with application server 64 by authenticating thewireless device 76 with application server 64 in one of the mannersdiscussed above. After authentication, the software application andwireless device 76 may present a series of options to the user ofwireless device 76. One option may be to select a video stream (cameraangle) for a live event. A menu of possible choices may be provided byapplication server 64 to the wireless device 76. After the user ofwireless device 76 selects one of the options, then the wireless device76 may receive video from a particular camera 50 through streamingserver 62. In some embodiments, the user may have additional options toselect periodic still pictures provided by one or more of the cameras50. This option may also be provided through a menu. The video selectionoptions may also allow the user to view the signal displayed on venuedisplay 60. The specific order of steps, or the inclusion or exclusionof specific steps may be changed without departing from the scope of theinvention. At some live events, the system may store various prerecordedcontent on streaming server 62. Examples of prerecorded content mayinclude commentary about the performer at the live event, interviewswith the performer, and/or still pictures of the performer. The user mayhave the option of selecting this prerecorded content using wirelessdevice 76 as well.

At various events (such as sporting events), the user of wireless device76 may also have the option to select a replay of the last play from oneor more camera angles. In such an embodiment, the available optionswould be presented to the user of wireless device 76 using a menu. Theuser could then enter his or her selection so as to view the replay ofthe previous play. In some embodiments, replays of multiple plays may beavailable to a wireless device 76.

As noted above, wireless device 76 may establish a session withapplication server 64 through authentication. In some embodiments,application server 64, streaming server 62, and/or any other server mayprovide an authentication key to wireless device 76 to allow decoding ofvideo, audio, and/or audio-video streams or files received fromstreaming server 62. In other embodiments, the authentication processwill allow wireless device 76 to receive a video stream sent directly tothe particular wireless device 76. In other embodiments, theauthentication process will allow a received video stream to be outputto the display of wireless device 76. In other embodiments, acertification or token may be provided to wireless device 76 to allowwireless device 76 to request transmission of the stream from streamingserver 76. Any type of authentication may be used without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

During each of these actions, application server 64 communicates withwireless device 76 to facilitate interaction between a wireless device76 and the remainder of the system of FIG. 2. In other embodiments,application server 64 could simply provide authentication information towireless device 76 without tracking the operation of wireless device 76for the remainder of the live event.

In some embodiments, the software application running on wireless device76 may allow the passing of text messages, pictures, and/or video and/oraudio clips created using wireless device 76 for possible display (orbroadcast in the case of audio) on venue display 60. Such content may beprovided through application server 64 to publishing workstation 75where an operator decides what content to display on venue display 60.

In some embodiments, software and wireless device 76 may allow theoperator of a wireless device 76 to play a game (e.g. a trivia game)with other people at the live event. This game may be played usinginformation displayed on venue display 60.

In some embodiments, software available on wireless device 76 mayinteract with application server 64 to provide an event calendar ofupcoming events where the video streaming service may be available to awireless device 76. Optionally, the event calendar may be interactiveallowing an operator of a wireless device 76 to sign up for live videoservice at a future event and/or purchase tickets.

As noted above, wireless devices 76 may optionally be equipped toreceive audio streamed from streaming server 62 either as part of avideo signal, as a separate signal, or as a separate signal synchronizedto a video signal provided by streaming server 62. Software on wirelessdevice 76 may provide the user the option of viewing a streamed videosignal from streaming server 62 with or without an audio signal.

In some embodiments, the system will allow the owner of a wirelessdevice 76 to view some or all of a live event after the live event hasconcluded. In such embodiments, streaming server 62 or another devicemay cache or record some or all of the live event as it is occurring.Wireless device 76 may interact with application server 64 to causestreaming server 62 to provide content from past live events to aparticular wireless device 76. In some embodiments, the number of timesthat a wireless device 76 can review the same content may be limited. Inother embodiments, a time limit after the conclusion of the live eventmay be provided such that after the time period has expired the operatorof wireless device 76 may no longer view some or all of the content fromthe live event. In addition, the total number of times particularcontent can be viewed may be limited on a content, event, or otherbasis. Software on wireless device 76, application server 64, and/orstreaming server 62 may also interact to control the ability of wirelessdevice 76 to record content or export content received from streamingserver 62. Thus, the system illustrated in FIG. 2 may allow protectionof copyrights of performers at live events.

In some embodiments, software and wireless device 76 may also interactwith application server 64 to share content from a particular live eventwith a friend. In such an embodiment, wireless device 76 may provideinformation to application server 64 about a friend with whom theoperator of wireless device 76 desires to share content. Applicationserver 64 may then provide such content to the friend using streamingserver 62 to provide the content to the friend's wireless device 76 (orother device). Application server 64 may control the number of friendsto which a particular wireless device can share content and/or limit thenumber of times certain content may be viewed by friends of the operatorof a wireless device 76. In addition, the time period during which afriend may be allowed to view content provided by streaming server 62may be controlled using application server 64.

In addition, the total number of times particular content can beprovided to or viewed by friends in aggregate may be limited on content,event, or other basis.

In some embodiments, a software application received from applicationdistribution server 66 and running on a wireless device 76 may alsoprovide a help feature to provide instructions as to how to use variousfeatures of the system and/or contact the operator of the system withquestions, feedback or other unidirectional or bidirectionalcommunication.

In some embodiments application server 64 and streaming server 62 inconjunction with various wireless devices 76 may limit the ability of awireless or wired device outside the venue in which the live event isoccurring from receiving video and/or audio provided by streaming server62. In other embodiments, the system illustrated in FIG. 2 may allowwireless devices 76 (or other devices, wired or wireless) remote fromthe venue in which the live event is occurring to receive video and/oraudio or other content from streaming server 62 while the event isoccurring. In such embodiments, remote wireless devices 76 (or otherdevices) could receive the content on a near real-time basis, or on adelayed basis.

In operation, a plurality of cameras 50 capture video during a liveevent and provide video signals to encoders 52 and to video mixing board54. Video mixing board 54, in turn, provides a video signal to mainencoder 56. Video signals from encoders 52 and main encoder 56 areprovided to streaming server 62 and meta data describing the encodedmedia may be provided to application server 64. At various times duringthe event, video from one or more of the cameras 50 may be provided toan optional venue display 60 under control of venue server 58. In someembodiments information and content may be provided by applicationserver 54 to publishing workstation(s) 77 and/or review workstation(s)75 prior to being made available to members.

During the event, one or more wireless devices 76 (or other devices) mayreceive video, audio, audio/video, and or still pictures streamed fromstreaming server 62. In some embodiments, wireless devices 76 may beauthenticated using application server 64 to allow the wireless device76 either to receive, decode, and/or display content received fromstreaming server 62. The invention may allow attendees at a live eventto select from one of a plurality of camera views to view on a wirelessdevice 76 and/or another device capable of receiving a video signal.

Application server 64 may communicate with wireless devices 76 invarious manners such as through application distribution server 66,SMS/MMS gateway 68, and/or SMTP server 70 as described above and/or viaTCP/IP or other network protocol in an n-tiered client/serverconfiguration.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart describing the operation of an examplewireless device 76 in accordance with the present invention. In step 90,the wireless device 76 and/or the user operating wireless device 76 isauthenticated using application server 64. Application server 64 thencommunicates sufficient information to wireless device 76 (e.g. to aclient software application) and/or streaming server 62 to allow theparticular wireless device 76 to receive content from streaming server62.

In step 92, a menu choice is provided to the user. FIG. 3 illustratesmany menu choices. Other menu choices may be provided or some of themenu choices illustrated in FIG. 3 omitted without departing from thescope of the invention.

If a replay option is selected then in step 94 various options forreplay are displayed on wireless device 76 and input is received fromthe user as to which replay option to select. Replay options may includethe camera angle, line cut, and/or the particular play to receive areplay of if the event is a sporting event. In step 96, the selectedoption is executed, the relevant content received from streaming server62 and also displayed on a display of wireless device 76.

If the live option was chosen in step 92 then options for live viewingare displayed in step 98 and input is received from the user as to thedisplay option preferred. Display options may include various cameraangles as provided by one or more of the plurality of cameras 50, theoption to receive video and/or still photos, the option to receive audioalong with, or without, the video, a combination of the foregoing,and/or any other relevant option. In step 100, the selected option maybe executed such that video (or still photos) are displayed on thedisplay or audio is played from the device's speaker or headset orexternal speaker(s). After a particular selection has been made, someinput may be required in step 112 to cause the menu choices to bedisplayed and a new choice to be made once again in step 92 or the usermay be able to switch to another choice by selecting that choice usingan input device, such as by pressing numbers on a telephone's keypad,thus interrupting the current view and causing the application to switchviews.

If the user chooses the events option in step 92 then an event calendaris displayed in step 102. Optionally, if the particular embodimentallows signing up for a service, purchasing tickets, and/or any otheroptions associated with a future event, then after the event calendar isdisplayed in step 102 these options would be presented to the user.

In step 92, if the user chose to change his or her preferences, then amenu of preferences would be displayed in step 104. Also in step 104,the user could enter his or her preferences and those preferences wouldthen be adjusted in step 106. The adjustment of preferences may includeproviding information to application server 64 that are used as defaultpreferences during future interactions between a wireless device 76(e.g. through a client application) and application server 64.

If in step 92 a content to screen option was selected, then user contentis received in step 108. As noted above, such content may include text,still photos, video, audio, and/or audio-video clips created usingwireless device 76. In step 110, the relevant content is sent toapplication server 64 using, for example, SMS/MMS gateway 68.Application server 64 may then send the content to publishingworkstation 77 for display under control of the venue display operatoron venue display 60 or to the streaming server 62 for display on otherwireless devices 76.

In some embodiments, user content may be sent to application server 64by other means. For example, the user may capture or create the contentand then send the content to the application server 64 using adestination address such as a short code or email address.

Although the present inventions have been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can bemade hereto without departing from the sphere and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on thisapplication in interpreting the claims appended hereto, Applicant wishesto note that he does not intend any of the appended claims to invoke ¶6of 35 U.S.C. §112 as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless“means for” or “step for” are used in the particular claim.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method of providingvideo signals of live events, the method comprising: accessing, while alive event is occurring, a video signal associated with the live event,the video signal corresponding to a live view of the live eventrepeatedly caching a portion of the video signal in a cache;transmitting, in real-time, the video signal to each of a plurality ofuser devices, each of the plurality of user devices being located at avenue of the live event; receiving, in association with a user device ofthe plurality of user devices, an electronic indication that a replay ofthe video signal is requested during the live event, the electronicindication corresponding to one or more selection attributes associatedwith the video signal; identifying one or more cached portions from thecache, the identification being based on the one or more selectionattributes; retrieving the one or more cached portions from the cache;and availing the one or more cached portions to the user device.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of providing video signals of live events asrecited in claim 1, wherein the cache includes an ephemeral cache. 3.The computer-implemented method of providing video signals of liveevents as recited in claim 1, wherein repeatedly caching the portion ofthe video signal in the cache includes storing all or part of the videosignal.
 4. The computer-implemented method of providing video signals oflive events as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic indicationfurther is indicative of a type of replay being requested, and whereinthe one or more cached portions correspond to the type of replay.
 5. Thecomputer-implemented method of providing video signals of live events asrecited in claim 4, wherein the type of replay corresponds to a timeperiod of the video signal.
 6. The computer-implemented method ofproviding video signals of live events as recited in claim 4, whereinthe type of replay corresponds to a camera view.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of providing video signals of live events asrecited in claim 1, wherein the electronic indication corresponds to adetection, at the user device, of an input corresponding to a requestfor the replay of the video signal.
 8. The computer-implemented methodof providing video signals of live events as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising: accessing, while the live event is occurring, a plurality ofvideo signals associated with the live event, each video signal in theplurality of video signals corresponding to either a live view of aplurality of views of the live event, or a pre-recorded video; availing,while the live event is occurring, a representation of each of theplurality of video signals to each of a set of user devices, each of theset of user devices being located at the venue of the live event, theset of user devices including the plurality of user devices; andreceiving, from each of the plurality of devices, a communication thatidentifies a selection of a representation of the video signal.
 9. Asystem of providing video signals of live events, the system comprising:one or more data processors; and a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium containing instructions which, when executed on the oneor more data processors, cause the one or more data processors toperform actions including: accessing, while a live event is occurring, avideo signal associated with the live event, the video signalcorresponding to a live view of the live event repeatedly caching aportion of the video signal in a cache; transmitting, in real-time, thevideo signal to each of a plurality of user devices, each of theplurality of user devices being located at a venue of the live event;receiving, in association with a user device of the plurality of userdevices, an electronic indication that a replay of the video signal isrequested during the live event, the electronic indication correspondingto one or more selection attributes associated with the video signal;identifying one or more cached portions from the cache, theidentification being based on the one or more selection attributes;retrieving the one or more cached portions from the cache; and availingthe one or more cached portions to the user device.
 10. The system ofproviding video signals of live events as recited in claim 9, whereinthe cache includes an ephemeral cache.
 11. The system of providing videosignals of live events as recited in claim 9, wherein repeatedly cachingthe portion of the video signal in the cache includes storing all orpart of the video signal.
 12. The system of providing video signals oflive events as recited in claim 9, wherein the electronic indicationfurther is indicative of a type of replay being requested, and whereinthe one or more cached portions correspond to the type of replay. 13.The system of providing video signals of live events as recited in claim12, wherein the type of replay corresponds to a time period of the videosignal.
 14. The system of providing video signals of live events asrecited in claim 12, wherein the type of replay corresponds to a cameraview.
 15. The system of providing video signals of live events asrecited in claim 9, wherein the electronic indication corresponds to adetection, at the user device, of an input corresponding to a requestfor the replay of the video signal.
 16. The system of providing videosignals of live events as recited in claim 9, the actions furtherincluding: accessing, while the live event is occurring, a plurality ofvideo signals associated with the live event, each video signal in theplurality of video signals corresponding to either a live view of aplurality of views of the live event, or a pre-recorded video; availing,while the live event is occurring, a representation of each of theplurality of video signals to each of a set of user devices, each of theset of user devices being located at the venue of the live event, theset of user devices including the plurality of user devices; andreceiving, from each of the plurality of devices, a communication thatidentifies a selection of a representation of the video signal.
 17. Acomputer-program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium, the product including instructionsconfigured to cause one or more data processors to perform actionsincluding: accessing, while a live event is occurring, a video signalassociated with the live event, the video signal corresponding to a liveview of the live event repeatedly caching a portion of the video signalin a cache; transmitting, in real-time, the video signal to each of aplurality of user devices, each of the plurality of user devices beinglocated at a venue of the live event; receiving, in association with auser device of the plurality of user devices, an electronic indicationthat a replay of the video signal is requested during the live event,the electronic indication corresponding to one or more selectionattributes associated with the video signal; identifying one or morecached portions from the cache, the identification being based on theone or more selection attributes; retrieving the one or more cachedportions from the cache; and availing the one or more cached portions tothe user device.
 18. The computer-program product as recited in claim17, wherein the cache includes an ephemeral cache.
 19. Thecomputer-program product as recited in claim 17, wherein repeatedlycaching the portion of the video signal in the cache includes storingall or part of the video signal.
 20. The computer-program product asrecited in claim 17, wherein the electronic indication further isindicative of a type of replay being requested, and wherein the one ormore cached portions correspond to the type of replay.